A Method to Determine the Throughput Speed of a Pore

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This patent describes a novel method and specialized calibration tool for accurately determining the throughput speed (how fast something passes through) of individual pores or nanochannels. The approach involves passing a thread-like calibration element, equipped with regularly spaced markers (such as quantum dots), through the pore using a driving force. The interaction of each marker with the pore generates a detectable event (e.g., change in light intensity or mechanical resistance) that allows precise measurement of the speed at which the element moves through the pore. The calibration element and the method are suitable for very small pores, such as those used in nanopore DNA sequencing or molecular filtration systems.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Calibrating and characterizing nanopores used in DNA and RNA sequencing devices.
• Quality control and performance testing of nanochannel-based filtration membranes in water desalination and purification systems.
• Development and testing of new nanotechnology materials where controlled pore throughput is essential.
• Optimizing and standardizing throughput in high-throughput biochemistry experiments (e.g., in protein analysis or biosensors).
• Fundamental research into molecular transport phenomena in nanotechnology and biophysics.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides a direct, quantitative, and highly accurate measurement of pore throughput, overcoming limitations of older methods based only on ionic current.
• Enables improved design, quality assurance, and performance optimization for nanopore-based devices, leading to more reliable and efficient sequencing or filtration.
• Allows calibration even in very small pores (down to nanometer scales), which is important for advanced nanotechnology and molecular biology applications.
• Flexible detection options (optical or mechanical) and compatibility with various driving forces (electrostatic, pressure, or concentration gradients).
• Reduces or eliminates the need for complex microscopic manipulation during calibration, as elements can be provided in easy-to-use solutions.
• Supports high-throughput or parallel calibration setups, boosting efficiency in industrial or research environments.

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Patent Abstract

Method (100) to determine the throughput speed v of at least one pore (1), comprising: • feeding (110), by a driving force F, a filiform calibration element (2) through the pore (1), said calibration element (2) having a plurality of markers (21) spaced apart by known distances (22) and configured to produce an interaction event (3) that transmits a signal away from the pore (1) upon interaction with the pore (1); • detecting (120) a plurality of interaction events (3); and determining (130) a time interval Δt between successive interaction events (3), and/or a frequency ω of interaction events (3). Filiform calibration element (2) with light sources that absorb excitation light of wavelength λ1 and to emit light of wavelength λ2 in response as markers (21). Liquid solution (20) as a tool for determining the throughput speed v, comprising a solvent (24) and a plurality of filiform calibration elements (2).